The holiday season is officially here. Today I share some nutritious festive recipes and tips for staying healthy during the busy holiday season starting with appetizers
A protein and produce appetizer option
Pair protein with produce for a delicious appetizer option that that won’t ruin your appetite for the main course.Here I have sliced veggies, fruit and the FarmRich flame-broiled Homestyle Meatballs which have 11 grams of protein per serving. These are great to keep in the freezer for impromptu holiday get-togethers or for a quick recipe ingredient. Find them in the freezer aisle along with the other delicious and easy Farm Rich appetizers and at FarmRich.com.
Make classic recipes healthier with secret swaps
My Mac n’ cheese and mashed potatoes have one thing in common – they are lightened up versions made with extra veggies. Puree butternut squash into your cheese sauce to lower the calories and fat and boost the vitamins, minerals and fiber. Add more nutrition to your standard potato mash with steamed and pureed cauliflower and parsnips. These are great ways to lighten up classic comfort foods.
Serve cocktails with benefits
Finally, serve cocktails with benefits made with tepache a new gut health boosting beverage packed with prebiotics and probiotics. Simply start with your alcohol of choice and top with Pineapple or Pear flavored Tepache which you can find at Publix. Garnish with fresh herbs and fruit. Tepache has long been popular in Mexico and among bartenders but until now has not been bottled and sold in the US. Each bottle has 3 grams of plant fiber and three times less sugar than soda. It has a more approachable taste than kombucha since it doesn’t have a vinegar aroma or acidic flavor profile.
Stay healthy during the busy holiday season
Now the holidays are a busy time so I ALSO have some tips on how to stay healthy. Number 1, make sure you are getting enough vitamin C. Vitamin C supports immune health and is found in foods like bell peppers, kiwis and oranges. This Ultimate Immune Orange Juice Beverage is by Uncle Matt’s Organic, the #1 selling brand of organic OJ in the US. It is made with organic orange and elderberry juice and contains 300% of your daily dose of vitamin C, 50% vitamin D and 25% zinc. Enjoy this new functional juice blend in smoothies for immune and wellness support, incorporated into recipes or on its own. The family friendly 52 oz. size will be available at Publix, select Whole Foods and online at UncleMatts.com.
Next, boost your nutrition with cocoa flavanols. Cocoa flavanols are one of the most highly research plant-based nutrients in the world with over 100 scientific paper published proving its efficacy in supporting heart and brain health including memory function and healthy blood pressure. The CocoaVia unsweetened dark chocolate, cocoa flavanol drink mix contains 450 mg of cocoa flavanols and can be enjoyed in coffee, smoothies, oatmeal or hot milk for a healthier hot chocolate.
Finally take care of your little ones by helping to fill in nutrient gaps. ChildLife has been a trusted children supplement brand for over 20 years. They make gluten-free, non-gmo children’s supplements with no fillers or artificial ingredients. Their immune core essentials, including the new super-immune softmelts with elderberry, work together to provide little ones with support and protection for a strong immune system. You can find them at iherb.com and use code Healthyholidays for 20% off.
